GRANTS, N.M. Last week, Pirate Wrestling Coach Tommy Gabaldon called and said he needed a favor.
I said, “What’s up, Coach?”
He said the cross country team needed help getting the course ready before their home meet in about 10 days.
I told Tommy, “Well, show me what you got going on, and I’ll see what I can do.”
So he gets me in touch with Cross Country Coach Cody and Coach Jolynn Perez, my first reaction— that course has never been bladed in my entire life, and it surely needs a lot of work. I just don’t have the equipment to do that kind of job.
So I told him, “Let me see what I can do.”
I reached out to my buddy, 94’ Pirate Alumni Brandon Strickland, and said, “Grants High School Pirates cross country team kids need a favor — think you might be able to help out?”
Within five minutes, I got a text back: “Of course. Show me what you need done, and I’ll get it done.”
So he’s out here today, working on the course for the Pirates.
If you see Strickland Services, LLC Daniel Strickland Janelle Strickland, give them a big thank you.
These cross-country kids are pretty special. Every once in a while on my runs, I’ll hitch onto their training day to catch a little run with them. They’re talented. I love running, and I can see the potential all over this course when they’re on it.
Good luck to the Grants Pirates Cross Country Team this weekend on your home meet.
Once a Pirate, always a Pirate.